meeting between Adam Dalgliesh and Deborah Riscoe. It is hinted that a relationship will develop between Adam and Deborah. The characters Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh – in charge of the investigation Detective Sergeant Martin – Dalgliesh's offsider Mrs. Eleanor Maxie – owner of Martingale, mother to Stephen and Deborah Stephen Maxie – son of Eleanor; admires and desires Sally Jupp; doctor at St. Luke's Hospital Deborah Riscoe – daughter of Eleanor; her husband, Edward Riscoe, died of poliomyelitis less than a year after they were married Mr. Simon Maxie – Eleanor's invalid and elderly husband Felix Hearne – in love with Deborah; holds both French and British decorations for his part in the WW2 resistance movement; tortured by the Gestapo Dr. Charles Epps – a widower, long-time physician of the Maxies Bernard Hinks – vicar of Chadfleet Miss Alice Liddell – Warden of St. Mary's Refuge for Girls Catherine Bowers – guest at Martingale; hopes to marry Stephen Maxie Martha Bultitaft – the Maxie's long-time domestic servant Sally Jupp – domestic servant at Martingale for several months; victim of homicide; lived at St. Mary's during the last five months of her pregnancy, then returned from the hospital after giving birth and stayed there till coming to work at Martingale James Ritchie – Sally's husband Mr. and Mrs. Proctor – Sally's aunt and uncle who raised her after her parents were killed during the Blitz Literary significance and criticism The novel was generally very well received by critics although the author later described it as her least favourite among her books. "Her first detective story, immediately pleasing and impressive. The pace is deliberate, the characterization of the members of an English county family very well done, and the central character of Sally Jupp – a servant girl with imagination and a love of power – most unusual but compelling. Insp. Dalgliesh is perhaps too quietly competent in his disclosure of Sally's killer – and, despite the title, the girl isn't a Duchess of Malfi." – A Catalogue of Crime In a 1966 book review, Anthony Boucher of The New York Times wrote "This is a literate and not unpromising first novel, but modeled firmly upon the detective story of 30 years ago at its dullest... When I keep urging a return to the formal detective story, this is not what I mean." Adaptations A television version of the novel was